405: This Mindset Is Ruining Your Business: How to Overcome Comparison.

Summary

The Heart & Hustle Podcast Episode 405: This Mindset Is Ruining Your Business: How to Overcome Comparison Release Date: October 29, 2024

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Introduction

In Episode 405 of The Heart & Hustle Podcast, hosts Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman delve into a pervasive mindset issue that can derail both personal happiness and business success: comparison. They candidly explore how comparing oneself to others can undermine entrepreneurial endeavors and overall quality of life. With their signature blend of honesty, practical advice, and empowering insights, Evie and Lindsey aim to equip creative entrepreneurs with the tools to overcome the destructive habit of comparison.

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The Destructive Nature of Comparison

Evie and Lindsey open the conversation by likening comparison to a “termite” that silently destroys the integrity and foundation of one's personal and professional life (00:38). They emphasize that comparison not only hampers business growth but also saps the joy and creativity essential for a fulfilling life.

Notable Quote:

Evie McLeod: “It's like a termite. It destroys the integrity of everything that you're building.” (00:38)

Defining Enoughness

The hosts challenge listeners to reconsider what defines "enough." They point out that societal standards, often amplified by social media, distort individual perceptions of success and adequacy.

Key Insights:

• Perception vs. Reality: People typically compare their behind-the-scenes struggles with others' polished public personas, leading to an incomplete and inaccurate comparison.
• Focus Shift: By concentrating on others' achievements, individuals lose sight of their unique strengths and contributions.

Notable Quote:

Lindsey Roman: “You're never comparing yourself to the full picture.” (04:30)

Overcoming Comparison: Practical Tips

Evie and Lindsey provide a comprehensive set of strategies to combat the habit of comparison. These actionable tips are designed to help entrepreneurs reclaim their joy, creativity, and business momentum.

1. Replace Lies with Truth (14:54)

For believers, prioritizing time with Jesus and aligning thoughts with Scripture is essential. Evie underscores the power of faith in dispelling negative self-talk.

Notable Quote:

Evie McLeod: “Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.” (10:05)

2. Curate Your Social Media Environment (15:46)

Social media can be a significant trigger for comparison. The hosts recommend muting or unfollowing accounts that provoke these feelings to maintain a healthier mental space.

Notable Quote:

Lindsey Roman: “If you're struggling with comparison, muting and unfollowing is a huge thing.” (17:01)

3. Create Before You Consume (17:30)

Encouraging proactive creativity over passive consumption, Evie advises entrepreneurs to engage in their creative processes before diving into the often overwhelming influx of online content.

Key Points:

• Avoid the Scroll Hole: Limit time spent on social media to prevent falling into endless scrolling that fosters comparison.
• Focus on Originality: Emphasize personal creativity rather than emulating others.

4. Seek Affirmation from Trusted Individuals (19:34)

When feelings of inadequacy arise, reaching out to close friends or family for genuine feedback can reinforce one’s unique value and strengths.

Notable Quote:

Evie McLeod: “Getting that feedback and affirmation from those closest to you is so powerful.” (20:24)

5. Write and Display Affirmations (21:10)

Creating a list of affirmations or scriptural verses and placing them in visible locations around one’s environment serves as constant reminders of personal worth and purpose.

Notable Quote:

Evie McLeod: “Put sticky notes everywhere so that they can be reminders.” (21:22)

6. Cease Comparing to Others’ Work (22:10)

Evie stresses the importance of focusing on one’s own business and creative processes without being influenced by others’ models or successes.

Key Insights:

• Original Content Creation: Develop unique business strategies and creative outputs without mirroring others.
• Preventing Second-Best Outcomes: Avoiding comparison ensures that one's work remains authentic and innovative.

7. Manage Personal Relationships (24:45)

Not all comparisons stem from social media; personal relationships can also be sources of unhealthy comparison. The hosts suggest taking breaks from relationships that exacerbate these feelings to maintain mental well-being.

Key Points:

• Healthy Boundaries: Adjusting the frequency of interactions can help mitigate comparison-induced stress.
• Graceful Communication: When necessary, communicate the need for space without causing personal offense.

8. Develop a Self-Appreciation List (26:45)

Creating a list of personal strengths and unique qualities reinforces self-worth and counters negative self-perceptions.

Notable Quote:

Lindsey Roman: “There is no flaw in you.” (28:03)

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Conclusion

Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman conclude the episode by reaffirming the uniqueness and inherent value of each individual. They encourage listeners to embrace their distinct talents and perspectives, reminding them that their journey is singular and worthy of celebration.

Final Thoughts:

• Embrace Individuality: Recognize and honor the unique qualities that each person brings to their business and personal life.
• Community Support: Lean on the supportive community fostered by The Heart & Hustle Podcast to navigate challenges and celebrate successes.

Notable Quote:

Evie McLeod: “You are made exactly who you are with exactly the gifts and skills and experiences… completely unique.” (28:10)

Evie and Lindsey’s heartfelt discussion provides a roadmap for overcoming the debilitating effects of comparison, empowering entrepreneurs to focus on their unique paths and fostering a mindset geared towards growth and fulfillment.

Transcript

[A]

You're listening to the Heart and Hustle podcast. We are your hosts, Evie McLeod and Lindsay Roman. And this is about to be an honest, direct girl chat boy chat honestly whoever is welcome here, but very honest conversation on a mindset in business that I genuinely think can be one of the things that holds you back and or just makes business miserable and prevents.

[B]

You from thriving and loving your life.

[A]

Yes. And that is comparison. It's the title.

[B]

It's. Yeah, if you saw the title, it's the nasty little just. What's the word?

[A]

It's like, it's like a termite. It just gets in there.

[B]

That's the word.

[A]

It destroys the integrity of everything that you're building and not. Great analogy.

[B]

It destroys the foundation of every single thing you're building. Yes, I guess that's the same thing as integrity in a different way.

[A]

Yeah, foundation, integrity. Either way, we're going to talk a little bit about that today and give you some practical tips of how to fight back and kind of overcome and over hot imposter syndrome comparison and give.

[B]

You some just much needed truths that you need to hear today. So if you need a little pump up that's short and sweet and to the point and will make your day better, keep listening.

[A]

Let me guess. You're sitting on your couch feeling lonely as heck and desperately looking for a business BFF who actually knows what you're going through as an entrepreneur. Once upon a time we were in your shoes and feeling that exact same loneliness.

[B]

Yep, we were. Can confirm. Before Evie and I met each other and grew our friendship to what it is today, we felt like we were just exhausting every option to find fellow creative entrepreneurs. And it can just be discouraging, spinning your wheels with little to no progress. But I just want to encourage you today there is hope and your desire for community is normal because you were designed for community.

[A]

Which is why we've created a freebie for you. How to build community. As an entrepreneur, we give you all of our tips and tricks to finding your people. All you have to do is go to theheartuniversity.com community to download that free guide to today. Hey.

[B]

Hey. I'm Lindsay Roman.

[A]

And I'm Evie McLeod and we are family and legacy focused serial entrepreneurs and the founders of the Hart University, a business education company with a mission to help you thrive in your business and life.

[B]

Welcome to our entrepreneur cocktail hour where business and marketing strategies meet faith, real talk and raw in life changing conversations.

[A]

At the end of the day, we are all in this together, figuring out how to navigate the ups and downs, the messy and the beautiful, and everything in between. This is a community where you can come as you are, get inspired and walk away, equipped to build a legacy filled life.

[B]

You're listening to the Heart and Hustle podcast. Have you ever thought to yourself, I'm not good enough. I'm never gonna get there. I'm not as insert blank as she is. Or any of those things that are running through your mind. Has anybody ever thought any of those? It's okay. We could raise our hands. If you're in the car, don't raise your hand, but if you're in a safe space, raise your hand. Cause I think we've all been there. And I think everybody at one point in time struggles with feelings of comparison, feelings of inadequacy, of feeling like I can never match up or you measure up. Measure up. Thank you. To this. This standard that I've set for myself or that I see other people doing. But my question for you and whether you're a business owner or not, I think everyone struggles with that. But my question for you is where is that idea of enoughness or of getting there?

[A]

Like, if you're saying what defines enough?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

What defines enough? Where there is.

[B]

Yeah. Or what defines. Like, I'll never be as good as her. How are you defining what she is? More often than not, it comes from social media or it comes from just being in friendship. Yeah. With other people. But I think it naturally comes from comparison. We get the idea of who we should be based on what other people are and who we see from our perception, like killing it or looking so polished and put together. And oftentimes we're seeing a picture and I feel like everyone knows that. But I think we just need a reminder. And some. Some truths like slammed into our noggins today on like. No, really, you. You are comparing yourself to a fraction of what somebody else is. You're never comparing yourself to the full picture.

[A]

That's so true. I think it's also in addition to that is. Is not only does that become an arbitrary, you know, there or enough or what based on someone else and our perception of someone else. That is usually completely. Not completely inaccurate, but completely incomplete.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

We are not seeing the full picture of whatever. But.

[B]

But we're seeing our full picture.

[A]

Exactly. We're seeing their best and our worst. And that's never a good side by side. But on top of that, where we focus is what we become more of.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And I think in reality there's an element of like, yeah, you may never be enough like her because you're seeing, you know, her best and your worst. But there's also an element of, do you want to become her?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Because.

[B]

Because you're only going to be a second best version of her. That it's like, when you actually own who God's made you to be and what your talents and giftings are, that's where you're going to find your magic.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And like, the. The thing that you were made to.

[A]

Do and the joy. Because I think as entrepreneurs and as. As business owners and actually, this is something that I. I've talked with friends about, but I want to create a whole, like, Instagram caption on it because I feel like the world just needs to see us. Maybe you're listening to this and you're like, I don't really struggle with comparison. Like, I don't. She's doing her thing, I'm doing my thing. I want to challenge you because I can almost guarantee you if you're sitting here being like, I don't struggle with comparison. You probably struggle with comparing your current self to past versions of yourself because.

[B]

Ooh, wait, like, in a negative way or in a pot, Like, I'm better than I was in the past or.

[A]

I'm worse than I was. I think negatively if you, if you struggle with comparison. Not as much with other people. I often find that those people, myself included, I compare my current self with past versions. I'm like, I don't get up at 5:00am anymore.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[A]

Or I was so productive in that season when I was single. Not, like, unattached, you know, able to shoot around the world and do whatever I wanted. 24, seven, I shot, you know, however many I was working. Like, you know, whatever. I. I look back and I'm like, man, I don't do that anymore because I'm in a different season of life and there's different, you know, but it's. I want to challenge you to just think about what you're comparing yourself to, because oftentimes when we focus on what we're not, it steals all the joy and the creativity from us. And then when we're so locked in on either past versions of ourselves, but for a lot of us, it's also other people.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We then lose any sense of originality, of creativity, of uniqueness, because we are so focused on trying to do whatever she's doing or he's doing and to copy and emulate that. Exactly. And our originality, our fresh ideas that just come from our brains are almost over. It's like we're turning up the volume on what they're doing and turning down the volume on who we are, who we are. And it, it just creates a mess, honestly.

[B]

Well, and when you do that, you're not going to, you're almost feeding into a cycle of then. Well, yeah, you're, you're gonna keep falling into this pit of wallowing with yourself.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because you're not giving yourself energy or attention.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And not in like a serving way, but in a way that your focus and attention is always going to be on. Wow, look what she's doing. Look how awesome that is. Look at that. And like the, the natural default of an outward mindset like that is naturally always going to be, wow, I'm not doing that.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like always. So when you actually zone in and focus on what you're doing and again, not in a self serving attitude like I'm so awesome, but it's like, hey, how can I better my life? What are interests of mine that I love doing that I can serve other people doing? And like, you know, it, it takes the focus from an outward perspective to an inward perspective.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And we're going to get into that. But right now, today we have, I don't actually know how many we have. We have ways to fight against comparison.

[A]

Five.

[B]

We have five.

[A]

All right, beautiful. So let's talk about this practically. If you're sitting here like, okay, great, I would love to not be dealing with this monster of comparison that is stealing my joy and making me a less like a watered down version of myself. How do I fight back? I personally think this like number one, this had to be number one on our list because if you know, Lindsay and I, you know, this is everything to us and the foundation. However, whatever you believe, just take this with a grain of salt. But if you are a believer, if you are a Christian, time with Jesus is your number one weapon. Like that is everything. Listen to what he is saying and focus on his directions for your life, for your business, his insight, his wisdom and also just his truth, his encouragement. Like, what is he saying to you and about you and your business and others and how you can bless or pray for even. Sometimes the person that you're currently sitting be like, oh my gosh, her life is perfect. And God's like, pray for peace for her right now. And you're like, okay, her life isn't perfect. I don't know what's going on, but it shifts something in you when you are actually like in tune with what God is saying. That is everything.

[B]

Because it's not just focused on the almost materialism or not even always materialism, but like the. Yeah, the earthly jealousy envy of just like, oh, I want what she has. It's like never. When you're, when your attention stops focusing on that and it shifts to Jesus, it's always on God. What do you want from me? How can I bless this person? How can like when you're in tune with the Holy Spirit, there's just like a complete mindset shift in how you operate your day to day. And we wanted to pull up second Corinthians 10:5, which says take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. Because I think as believers, and even if you're not a believer, this still do that.

[A]

The concept still.

[B]

The concept still the second that you feel a lie or even if you don't think it's a lie, just a negative thought come into your brain of negative or self critical, self critical or pity type of thinking come into your brain against yourself specifically. Take that thought captive and replace it with truth. When you believe in Jesus, that truth comes from the Bible and what God says about it. And I can almost guarantee you any thought that's coming into your brain, there is a, there is a truth that matches it and matching meaning like counters it in the Bible.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And like literally take every thought captive and proclaim truth over that. If you are sitting here like looking at somebody else and you're like, wow, she's so successful and I feel like I've done nothing and I'm just like a piece of lint on the sidewalk. I don't even know like, like if that's where you're thinking, like, go to the Bible where he says you are beautifully and wonderfully made. And like there is no mistake in you. Like, look at scripture that like points to the truths of like, you were made with a purpose. You are made like beautiful in his eye.

[A]

And like just as you are.

[B]

Yes, you were loved just as you are. And like take that and walk in that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And we're gonna have some thoughts on how to walk in that. But start training your brain to catch yourself every time you're. You're thinking that and call it out with truth. And we'll get into some more to do's on how to do that.

[A]

Yeah. There's a, there's a quote from. I don't fully know how to pronounce it, so I could be butchering. This is it Lao Tzu we're going to go with that Lao Tzu that says, watch your thoughts, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny. Or you could change that to say becomes your future.

[B]

Yeah, that's so true.

[A]

So just pay attention. Your thoughts quickly turn into your future. If you are not careful, they cripple you. Yeah.

[B]

I can't tell you the amount of like students, comments, people like that I've talked to that they're just stuck in, in this paralyzing fear of just like they can't even move forward. Like I literally just had a coaching call with a girl and she's like, has so many dreams and awesome like just wanting to do so many things and she was like, I can't even, I. There's something blocking me just from like going And I don't know for her if it was comparison, but I feel like a lot of people are stuck in that of just like, like I want to do this thing but like for some reason like I can't get moving on it. And so often it's those negative thoughts that stem from comparison that you're speaking over yourself and you're almost just saying no for yourself before you've even tried.

[A]

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[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[B]

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[A]

So number one way in our opinion to combat comparison is to replace the lies and the self critical talk with truth. And as a believer that is all based in God's word and your relationship with God. But the second thing that I think is one of the number one things that I will recommend to most people who tell me that they're significantly struggling with comparison at a certain season is and oftentimes in today's day and age it's related to social media or you know, our connection and being able to see so much the highlights of so many people's lives all at once or businesses I would say to mute or unfollow the people that are currently triggering that the the most amount of comparison in you. And I want to encourage if you're like oh okay, unfollowing feels very drastic and that feels personal because I do have a relationship with that person. I love them, I care about them. Like it's not a personal thing. I just, I just need to not.

[B]

See like they would be offended or hurt if they saw that I unfollowed.

[A]

Yeah. So just an encouragement that the mute button for both their stories and posts.

[B]

Perfectly is a beautiful option.

[A]

Does a great job of things. But also if you do have a relationship with someone where you could be honest and it depends obviously very much on the relationship and this also ties into in person which we'll get to in a second, but maybe you just send them a Message. I can't tell you the number of messages I've received over the years. I mean, not like hundreds, but enough that I've noticed it where people have said, like, hey, I actually unfollowed you for, like, a year or two because I was really struggling with comparison, and I needed to have a. Like, just a clean slate. It was nothing personal. You're amazing. And I am, like, good for you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

I do not take that personally. I do not, you know, feel offended by that. You were doing what you needed to do for yourself, to stay in your lane and be happy with your life. And I think that is so great.

[B]

I'm having a comparison moment right now where I'm like, I've never got a message of somebody that's intentionally unfollowed me. Am I not, like. Like, perfect enough?

[A]

Maybe. Maybe you could spin this and say, maybe I give this. This deceptive view of perfection.

[B]

Sure.

[A]

And you're more honest and real, so they don't need.

[B]

They can just follow me. It's fine. No, I'm kidding. That's funny.

[A]

But I think muting and unfollowing is a huge thing.

[B]

Amen. Amen. And kind of going along that line number three, if social media comparison is the issue, we're gonna go dive into a couple more tips with that. Create before you consume. Yeah, create before you consume. If you find yourself in the scroll hole, and that is where you can. You can know that that's what triggers that comparison and that dive into whether it's depression or just like a. Like a deep despair of, like, wow, I am inadequate. Inadequate. Or even just.

[A]

Just. You almost become apathetic because you're like, everyone else is creating this great content. This photographer is posting every single session or wedding they're doing, and I'm way behind. And I just want. If you have ever felt that you're like, I'm gonna go get real ideas on Instagram. And then you end up scrolling for 30 minutes, an hour.

[B]

Stop that.

[A]

And then you end up being like, I don't want to post. And you click off. I have been there. Guarantee Lindsay has been there. We have all been there. Stop doing that. Because what that is doing is you're consuming and then getting that. Creating that space for that comparison and that.

[B]

And then you're. You're creating out of comparison.

[A]

Yes.

[B]

And then it's. It becomes desperate.

[A]

Yep. And then it also becomes second best because you're trying to do what you think you should do based on what you saw someone else do and not what you want to do based on your creativity and your work.

[B]

So create before you consume. If it's really bad, just take a social media break.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And GTFO real fast. Get out or mute everyone you follow from your business page if you need to do that so that you don't see anything. Like if you have to get on to, you know, for whatever reason, business or whatever you have to create or you have to post, mute everyone.

[A]

Obviously that's hard.

[B]

That's a little drastic.

[A]

That's hard if you're following like 4, 000 people. But. But somehow if you're following a few hundred, maybe you take an hour and you literally.

[B]

I've always thought that's that must be what Taylor Swift's feed looks like because she doesn't follow anybody.

[A]

Well, it's not empty because I know it's not empty. No.

[B]

How would that work then? If you literally muted everything, it just.

[A]

Pulls up random things that they think you might like.

[B]

But that's probably what it does for her. Never mind. It doesn't connect neither here nor there.

[A]

The point is you won't have an empty feed. You can always still go to a reels feed or whatever and like be scrolling.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

But it just disconnects that personal attachment to want to compare because, you know, oh, so, and so that other photographer, she's doing great with her content and it's always the first thing that pops up and the first story that pops up and that's really hard.

[B]

So another final tip that with the social media is if you create a, or set a timer for a specific time where you go to post and engage and then, and then you get off and you have, if you have like good boundaries with that and you're able to like get off when a time comes on, then like that's another way to do it.

[A]

Yeah, absolutely. Okay, so the number four tip of like really combating comparison is in the moments when you are really struggling, in the moments when you're feeling the most down about yourself or the most, you know, everyone else is doing great and I'm not, you know, whatever that looks like. Ask a close friend or a family member what they see in you that is unique, that's beautiful, powerful, that you're bringing to the table in your business. You can obviously make it as broad or specific as you want. You could say like, what do you like about me? Or it could simply be like, what are some of your favorite things about me? Just asking for that outside opinion of being like, oh my gosh, I Never noticed that people see this in me. I've never seen that in myself or, you know, I always skip over that. I don't think that's important. So getting that feedback and affirmation and encouragement from those closest to you who really see you is so powerful and so beautiful.

[B]

Number five kind of goes along with our number one of like getting in the word, going straight to Jesus. But number five is write down affirmations, whether that's scriptural or just phrases or reminders that inspire you and make you feel inspired and, and I want to say empowered, I guess, and put them around your workspace, put them around your home, in your kitchen, in your bathroom, on your mirror, in the car, on the visor that comes down on the dashboard. Like, put them everywhere in places that you will see them to be constant reminders. I think, especially if you're a visual person and you just like, you need that reminder, like, put it on your holy spirit is like putting a verse on your heart and you just want that. Like, maybe it's something that you're really struggling with and you find a scripture that's like, hey, I'm gonna take that thought captive and I'm going to proc this over my life.

[A]

I'm getting ministered to right now.

[B]

Like, everywhere. Like, put sticky notes everywhere so that they can be reminders. Or get like a dry erase marker on your mirror and just put it on your mirror really big, just to be clear.

[A]

Your mirror at home, not your rear view driving mirror.

[B]

Sorry, I had danger back in my mind. I knew what you meant. The bathroom.

[A]

One thing with this too. Just a little tidbit of encouragement because I have done this many times over my life. Sometimes my brain. If I see something too many times, I stop noticing it. So I will switch things out once a week. Even simply the location of a piece of paper. And then eventually maybe I just stopped noticing it altogether and I'll start writing stuff down fresh again. New scripture, new truths, new reminders that God's been teaching me as a way to not get so numb to it that I've seen it on my mirror so many times. That's why dry erase can be great on your mirror, because you can change that message, that scripture that reminds me or whatever it is regularly. So just an encouragement with that too.

[B]

That's really good.

[A]

Okay, number six. And we kind of touched on this a little bit of create before you consume. But I just. This just needed to be its own point because this is so dang important. And this is also not Tied specifically to like creating content on social media. Stop looking at someone else's work, their content, their business model, their ideas for inspiration. If you are currently struggling with comparison, that will be probably the opposite for you. It will not inspire you in your life, business, content, creativity, whatever it is, it will most likely suck all the creativity, joy and excitement out of whatever you are doing. So if you can at all notice the areas in your business or your life where you are comparing to someone else's business or life and feeling like I should be doing that because they're doing that or I, you know, they shifted as a photographer their style or their packages or their website to say this or do this. Stop. Yeah, stop comparing whatever you are doing to someone else. I genuinely create. Before you ever consume, write out your website copy. Do not ever look at another person's website. Like create what you think you want to create and what you want to be speaking to your clients. Stop looking at someone else for inspiration or ideas. It will only ever be second best. So that's like a huge thing. Just stop looking at other people and what they're doing before you're about to do something in your life or business.

[B]

Number seven, not every social media or sorry, not every comparison can come from social media. Sometimes it can be in person, from a friend, a neighbor, someone in your community, whoever. Step, don't be afraid to step back and take a break from a personal relationship that might be causing you to struggle with comparison. And, and this varies depending on who it is and what your actual relationship is with that person. Like if you notice that like every time you're around somebody you it's dragging you down, then take a break. Like maybe stop hanging out with them for a little bit. And again depending on who they are, that's maybe up to interpretation on if you should tell them that you're taking a break from them or not. Like if it's somebody that you've just idolized in your mind and you don't really have a personal relationship with them, then like they probably don't need to know. That might be just too much. But if it's like a best friend who you're finding that and your heart is like a little bit, you know, you're having a moment and of jealousy or comparison and you're wanting to just take a step away and maybe like stop seeing each other every single week for just a couple of weeks, maybe it depending on who it is again, maybe share with them gracefully.

[A]

I think that's if you're a believer Pray into that, figure that out. I think there's a way too, in certain friendships that you can just take a step back without closing a door. Yeah, like, it's not like, hey, I'm no longer going to be friends with you, or I don't want to talk to you or see you or interact with you whatsoever for six months. Maybe it's simply like, hey, we used to hang out once a week, now maybe we hang out once a month. And it's just enough of a separation that you can kind of get yourself out of that feeling of constantly, week after week just reminding, like reminding yourself and comparing yourself with this person. So yeah, a lot of prayer into that. And then the last thing on our list that can really help you combat comparison is write down a list of things that you appreciate about yourself and the unique flair that you bring to your work, to your clients, to your family, whatever it is, and just revisit that list when you start to compare and to feel down about yourself. If you are a believer, writing this list in, you know, partnership with the Holy Spirit is so powerful of like, what do you see in me, God? What did you create unique in me that I bring to my work and my family and those around me that can be so beautiful? But regardless of your beliefs, really sitting down and taking the time to assess your own strengths and unique, you know, flares and maybe even weaknesses that you actually bring that are very cool, that impact in unique ways, the people around you that you're like, hey, I might not be the most organized, but that actually means that I'm very spontaneous and I bring, you know, the last minute flair to my clients and my family and it keeps them on their toes and that's great, you know, so really sitting down and being like, these are things that I admire about myself. It's gonna be hard to get past this feeling of like, oh, that's really like self centered or, or I can't think of anything good about myself, like work through that. But creating a list like that that you can revisit in moments like that, along with what your friends and family have said about you, that's just so powerful in the moments when you're really feeling like I have nothing to offer. That's not true. That's never true.

[B]

It's never true. Although I can understand that list might be hard to write.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Depending on where you're at in your feelings about yourself or your mindset. But I think for me, that's really where I get to go to the Holy Spirit. And be like, God, what do you see in me? And, like, writing it down. And that is just some of the most tender, most beautiful, like, powerful time with the Lord that you can just really, truly just get wrecked in his goodness and how much he loves you and how he has created you for incredible works and just incredible things. And there is no flaw in you. And that doesn't mean that you're perfect and sinless, but that does mean that you were created for a purpose and that you have just such good things and you don't have to, I guess, wallow. Wallow sounds kind of mean, but, like, almost like, feed into the lie that you are broken and subpar and never going to get where you're gonna go just because he's with you. And there's such power in doing life alongside with Jesus. And I will say, when you are walking with him, I'm not gonna say that comparison will never be a thing, but when you believe and walk out of the calling of, like, this is who God's made me to be, and I am walking in that comparison, while it might come a little bit, it will not hold you back.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Because you will walk just in. In the fire and passion of what he's created you to do.

[A]

Pastor Lindsay came out to preach today. So, friend, hopefully this gave you some really good reminders, some good tang, practical tips that you can take away. Overall, we just wanted to remind you that you are made exactly who you are with exactly the gifts and skills and experiences and everything and ideas and creativity that you have. Completely unique. And we are proud of you and we are so thankful that you show up here on our podcast and that we get to do life and business alongside you. And we just hope that this was a blessing to you and your life and your. Your mindset and just your business and family, whatever it's impacting today, we just hope it blesses you immensely and we will see you on the next episode.